Lake City Personal Injury Attorneys

Some injuries heal quickly, but others require surgery, months of therapy, or ongoing pain management. A torn knee ligament, a compressed nerve in the neck, or a head injury from a bike accident can all change daily life in ways that are expensive and difficult to manage alone. The Lake City personal injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair want local residents to understand what these injuries involve and what compensation may be available when another party is responsible.

Knee Ligament Surgery After an Accident Near Lake City

Knee ligament injuries can be painful, restrictive, and often require surgical treatment and extensive recovery. Individuals who have sustained a serious knee injury as the result of an accident or fall, whether on the job or otherwise, may need to seek compensation from the responsible party to help recover the costs of knee ligament surgery and lost wages from missed time at work.

What Is a Knee Ligament Injury?

Ligaments connect bone to bone. These ligaments are designed to provide support for the knee and also limit the range of motion of the joint. Ligaments that are damaged are compromised in their ability to do their job, and as a result the knee can become unstable. The knee joint has four major supporting ligaments that connect the tibia to the femur and could be damaged in an injury or accident. The anterior cruciate ligament controls the knee's rotation and forward movement of the tibia. The lateral collateral ligament provides the outer knee with stability, while the medial collateral ligament stabilizes the inner knee. The posterior cruciate ligament sits in the center of the knee and moderates backward movement of the tibia.

Ligaments can be stretched or completely torn in an accident or fall. The severity of the damage dictates what treatment will be necessary to repair the knee and restore normal function. In more complicated cases, or when the injured person cannot manage normal daily functions, surgical intervention may be necessary, often followed by lengthy physical therapy.

What Types of Knee Ligament Surgery Might Be Required?

While serious knee injuries may require a total knee replacement, torn ligaments may instead require surgical repair or reconstruction, which can involve using healthy tendons from elsewhere in the body, such as from the kneecap or hamstring. The surgeon may graft the healthy tissue in place of the damaged ligament to stabilize the knee. This procedure is often completed in an outpatient surgical center under general anesthesia, with follow-up visits and therapy required for a full recovery. Risks associated with knee ligament surgery include blood clotting, bleeding, infection, and stiffness or laxity of the knee after surgery. Severe pain, redness, drainage from the surgical site, or fever after surgery should prompt immediate attention from a doctor, since these symptoms could signal infection or other complications.

Epidural Nerve Block Procedure for Cervical Radicular Pain

Radicular pain, or radiculopathy, is a condition in which the nerves stop working properly. Disease or trauma may cause the condition, which is a malfunction in the root of the nerve, and it can result in pain, numbness, weakness, and problems with motor control. Even though the problem occurs in the spinal area, the pain is often felt in other parts of the body. Many cases of radicular pain occur in the cervical spine and result in severe neck pain and other symptoms. Patients may turn to an epidural nerve block procedure for treatment, which may be compensable in a personal injury claim if another party caused the injury.

What Causes Cervical Radicular Pain?

In many cases, a herniated disc, usually the result of trauma such as a car accident or a fall like a slip-and-fall accident, causes cervical radicular pain. Radicular pain may also result from arthritis or other types of degenerative bone disease. The material from a ruptured disc can put pressure on the nerve root, compressing it and causing pain.

Traditional Treatments and the Epidural Nerve Block Procedure

Many patients suffering from this condition treat it with conservative therapies first, which may include corticosteroids and pain medication, either injectable or taken orally. Physical therapy may be another part of a typical treatment plan, which might include cervical traction using mechanical or manual methods. When conservative treatment fails and the pain becomes intolerable, surgery is often the next step, though there is another treatment called the epidural nerve block procedure that may provide pain relief.

This procedure involves injecting a corticosteroid into the epidural space of the spine. The physician uses a fluoroscope to allow real-time X-ray images, and a contrast medium helps ensure the needle is placed appropriately when injecting the medication. It involves injecting a local anesthetic like lidocaine along with a corticosteroid into the epidural space, and pain relief is monitored for a set period of time. This procedure is minimally invasive and may be an excellent alternative to surgery. Complications are slight and include risk of infection, slight bleeding, and minor pain around the injection site.

If Another Party Caused the Accident

Living with cervical radicular pain is not easy, since the patient's life becomes about pain management. Patients may be unable to work, sleep, or enjoy everyday activities. If you suffer from this condition because of an accident near Lake City that someone else caused, speak to an attorney. You may be able to get compensation for damages like medical bills for epidural nerve block procedures to relieve the pain, along with damages for lost wages and pain and suffering.

Filing a Claim for a Head Injury from a Bike Accident Near Lake City

Bicyclists, especially those who do not wear helmets, are at serious risk of sustaining a head injury in an accident with a motor vehicle. Victims and their loved ones may feel overwhelmed by the process of filing an injury claim after a head injury.

Who Is Liable for the Injuries?

The first step in the claims process is often determining who is responsible for the damage. In Iowa, the party at fault for the injury is the party liable for it. In the event of a bike accident near Lake City, it is likely that the motor vehicle driver involved was to blame, meaning the driver's insurance would be liable for paying for damages.

How to Prove Liability

The at-fault driver may try to avoid responsibility by claiming the cyclist did something to contribute to the crash. You can substantiate your claim and prove liability with evidence such as police reports, physical evidence from the scene, and witness testimony. You will also need to prove that your head injury was a direct result of the accident and not independent of it.

How Much Compensation Might Be Available?

The insurance adjuster responsible for overseeing your claim makes an initial determination based on the extent of the damages suffered. Circumstances that come under consideration include the extent of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, whether you have lost time from work or lost your ability to work, and whether your bike needs to be replaced. If you were partially at fault for the accident, your damage amount may be reduced. For example, rear bicycle lights are becoming mandatory in Iowa, and if you were riding at night without them, the driver may argue that you contributed to the crash through negligence.

When a Settlement Amount Is Not Enough

If you are offered a settlement that is not sufficient, you do not have to accept it. You have the right to negotiate for a higher amount and, if necessary, file a claim against the at-fault driver in civil court. To do so, you need to file your claim within two years, pursuant to Iowa Code section 614.1. Because head injuries often cause significant damages, a civil suit may be necessary to recover full compensation.